My name is Melana Cummings (aka MooseMama…story to come). I live in Sheridan Wyoming. I have been married to Tim Cummings for 32 years. We met through a letter and he asked me to marry him in a letter. (It’s a very long story, but oh so sweet and God designed!) The first time we kissed was when he put the engagement ring on my finger. It’s not a common way to start out a life together, but we were best friends who got married. He’s still one of the dorkiest people I know. He makes me laugh. He makes me shake my head. He has always said that if I ever leave him, he’s coming with me. We have a 26 year old daughter Sarah, a 16 year old daughter Emily, and a grandson, Jensen, who is 3. I have worked for the State of Wyoming for 28 years, and have a degree in psychology from the only university in the state. I was raised in the Lutheran church but had no idea what a personal relationship with Christ was. When I was 21, Christ sought me out, and I prayed to receive Him. From that day forward JESUS HAS BEEN MY LIFE!
In 2006, I prayed that I would grow even more in my faith and in Christ. About a week later a snippet of video was played about the Bible study, Believing God by Beth Moore (never heard of her!) that would be starting soon. A prayer answered!
A few months later this Beth Moore was going to be in Salt Lake City with Living Proof Live, so myself and 5 friends drove to see her. She taught from Ephesians 3…how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ….to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. One phrase she said “All excess is a result of emptiness”, hit me hard. As a woman who has been overweight all my life, all I could think was “nuh-uh”!
That one Bible Study and Living Proof Live event were the beginning of many more Bible Studies and live events through the last 9 years. My prayers for growth were being answered! I loved reading Beth’s blog and made a lifelong friend through it: Adrienne Hudson (aka Fuzzytop in Tennessee) and I became online friends. In 2008 a friend and I drove from Wyoming to San Antonio Texas for the Living Proof Live, and “Siesta Fiesta”, where I finally got to meet Adrienne face-to-face. I wish I could name all of the Siestas I have met over the years! They have become so dear to my heart and really, an integral part of my life in Christ! Honestly, the kindness, love, support and joy these women have brought to my life is no small miracle.
The most hilarious part of that trip was a stuffed Moose with a Wyoming bandana on his neck. It was my intention to give the moose to Beth as a gift. Well, we started to take pictures of “Miesta Moose” (Miesta is a male Siesta), along the trip. The pictures got posted on a secondary blog that a couple of Siestas had started, which was all about the Fiesta. By the time we arrived in San Antonio, Miesta Moose had become somewhat of a celebrity. And so it began. I took him to every Beth Moore event I went to. He would even end up in recap pictures, and then Siestas from all around the country, most of whom, I had never met, asked me to send him to them so they could take him to the event in their area. He has been kissed and carried by some of the most wonderful women! Around his neck, he wears the wristbands from the events he has attended. I became MooseMama. He became so recognizable, that women asked to have their pictures taken with him. It pleased me that he showed up at tapings and book signings that Beth was doing.
In 2009, I felt God really was telling me that I could be more of what He wanted for me if I lost that excess weight and fill the emptiness with Him. I lost 120 lbs. in a year’s time. I was leading Bible Studies. I was teaching Sunday School. I even went on a mission trip to Africa with my church. Something I never would have tried when I was so overweight. Prayers answered!
The year 2011 brought with it a season of severe loss and struggle. A heart attack altered the health of my husband, my oldest daughter became a widow at 22. Two weeks following her husband’s death she discovered she was expecting our grandson Jensen. I grew steadily depressed with these changes and gained back all the weight I had lost. I felt like I was trying to hold everything from flying apart. I was exhausted. We stopped going to church. But God…
We returned to church last year, and God is showing me how He used Jensen to redeem these past few years. His faithfulness to me never faltered. This verse has never meant more to me, than now. Today it is my verse to memorize:
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
AMEN!
Sherry Deer Park, Tx
Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
Psalm 19:13 NIV
Pam Worcester, Glen Elder, KS
My flesh and my heart may fail,
BUT GOD is the strength of my heart and my
portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
Sheila H., Mitchell, MB, Canada
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” (NASB)
Gloria Davis, Mansfield, Oh
“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
Cara Gabrielse, Parker, CO: When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” Luke 5:4 NLT
Meg, Alexandria, VA
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'” Daniel 3:16-18 NIV
Kem Green, Des Moines, IA
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9 NLT)
Thank you for your honesty and for sharing your story. Praise be to our Lord and Savior who always and forever seeks us out, yearns for relationship with us and is ever so patient and loving. Life is hard but God is good!
Liz Richmond, Midland, Texas-
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV –
However, as it is written:
No eye has seen, No ear has heard, No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3
Anna from Missouri
Kathy, High Point, NC
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Teresa, Tyler TX
O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! Jeremiah 32:17 (NLT)
Denise, Gambier, Ohio; By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5 ESV
Susan Turner, Shelby,NC
I was at LPL Greenville this past weekend. The Spirit was there too.
Moving up and down and all around. My verse from Divine Gravity:
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. (John 10:17 NIV)
God bless you Beth and your willingness to lay your life down to serve us, He will lift you up.
Patty, Shelton, Washington
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3 NIV
Dyersburg TN…. NAS …Proberbs 7 1 ” Keep my words, and treasure my commandments within you”….AMEN
Lori, Louisville, KY
I lift up my eyes to the mountains-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
Brenda – Jordan, MN
“Your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:21b ESV
“Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 6:13-14 NIV
Teresa, Dickinson, TX “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim 2:24-25 ESV
Ana from Dayton, TX
Psalm 118:5-6 (ESV)
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Melissa; Little Rock AFB/Parker, CO: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 ESV
Anja Drenth,Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Vervul ons in de morgen met uw liefde,
laat ons van blijdschap juichen al onze dagen.
Psalm 90:14
Melody S.
Forest City, IS
Psalm 86:5 (ESV)
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Robin Ivey, Meridian, MS
” Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love.”
Ephesians 4:2
New Century Version
Port Lions, Alaska
I pray that you being established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God. (Ephesians 3 : 17b-19 NIV)
Gabby, Dickinson, TX “The righteous shall live by faith.” ESV (June 1, 2015)
“Be on your guard; stand firm in faith; be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Cor 16:13-14 ESV
Addy, Dickinson, TX “The righteous shall live by faith.” Rom 1:17
July 1, 2015
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Ps 32:7 ESV
Brenda Gerber
Psalm 16:6 ( NIV) ” The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; Surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
John 1:14 (NIV)
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Terryl Arola, Pine City, MN
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 (NIV)
Stephanie, Fort Worth, TX;
For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; Isaiah 53:2 (ESV)
Meredith, Virginia Beach, VA
Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Beatrice Brackin, Chattanooga, TN. Colossians 3:13, NIV, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Kathy, Bolivar, MO
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him, God is a refuge for us. Ps. 62:8 NKJV
Angela Palmer, Winston-Salem, NC
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13 (NIV)
Soni in Gulfport
3 John 4 RSV (7/15/15)
“No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth.”
Karen Bell, Hendersonville, TN
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
James 4:10 ESV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power
and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Dr. Wilma Arant, Swartz, LA
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 NIV
Jennie Marie Knoll – DeWitt, AR
Philippians 4:4-7 (NAS) Rejoice in the Lord always;again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Vancouver, Wa
Ro. 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and prefect will. Humble service in the body of Christ. NIV
Susan, Houston, 1 Sam. 2:2 ESV “There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God.”
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Psalm 119:160 ESV
Deena from Amarillo, Texas
“So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” James 1:21 NLT
Troy, MI
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalms 141:2 NIV
Sarah Ungerer, Queretaro, Mexico
Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
3 John 1:2 (King James 2000)
Suz, Andover, KS:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)
I love how God knows us better than we know ourselves and uses us to His glory!Thank you for sharing, Melana!
So glad you shared! Now I’m terribly curious what brought you back to church, and whether you ever really “left God” or wandered from him while out of church like people sometimes assume.
Here’s my verses to catch up.
Verse 10.
“Your words were found, and I ate them and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16, ESV
Verses 11-14.
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” James 5:1-4, ESV
No January, I did not wander from Him. I never left God. It became increasingly difficult to be in groups of people. Singing a hymn was next to impossible. I was actually working a night job as well as my day job. The combination of working 60 hours per week and the depression made me want to be in bed every minute I wasn’t working.
What made us go back to church? My sweet girl wanted her son in church! We knew then, that as a family, we NEEDED to be in church…for our daughters and for our grandson. It was easy to slip away from church. It was hard to walk back in after 2 years. But we were welcomed back and treated like the prodigal son. It says a lot about God and His people!!
Yes, I can so relate. Thanks for your openness in sharing, Melana – gives me much longed for solidarity, especially the aspects surrounding the church. Blessings to you and yours! Oh, and I don’t mean to be trite, or boil a struggle down to a book, but nevertheless (I can’t help but share bc it helped me), if you’ve never read the book “Intuitive Eating,” I’d highly recommend it. I read it years ago and it helped me gain a greater compassion for my appetites and served a small role in my journey towards healthy eating. I’d recommend it to anyone who has struggled in any way with food – too much or too little. It can be such a frustrating place to be, since we can’t just “quit cold turkey.” Anyway, take care. 🙂